I use cheats. Mainly for building (move objects, etc). Some families are "cheat" families and some I don't use any at all and build and handle moods and jobs myself. Or sometimes I do both, and mother lode money into the family, build, then cheat it out. ? I don't use mood/skill/job/relationship cheats unless I'm desperate or I need them for the existing storyline. I don't think there's a wrong or right way to play, just have fun. I probably split my time pretty evenly between using cheats and not, except I'll almost always use them in build mode.